Mounting means for ignition switch locks



y 1950 E. N. JACOB] 2,506,642

MOUNTING MEANS FOR IGNITION SWITCH LOCKS Filed April 29, 1946 s Sheets-Sheet 1 y 1950 E. N. JACOB] 2,506,642

MOUNTING MEANS FOR IGNITION SWITCH LOCKS Filed April 29, 1946 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 WELDED wswsn v May 5 E. N. JACOB] 2,506,642

MOUNTING MEANS FOR IGNITION SWITCH LOCKS Filed April 29, 1946 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 UNITED STATES Patented May 9, 1950 MOUNTING MEANS FOR IGNITION SWITCH LOCKS Edward N. Jacobi, Milwaukee, Wis., assignor to Briggs & Stratton Corporation, Milwaukee, Wis., a corporation of Delaware Application April 29, 1946, Serial No. 665,879

8 Claims.

This invention relates to the automotive art and refers more particularly to improved mounting means for securing the ignition switch locks of automotive vehicles in place on the instrument panel of the vehicles.

In the past, ignition switch locks were commonly secured in place on the instrument panel of automobiles by means of a clamping cup or bracket located behind the instrument panel and secured to the panel by spot welding. The spot welding process, however, leaves unsightly blemishes on the exterior of the panel and to preserve neatness of appearance it was heretofore necessary to grind and polish the exterior of the panels at their spot welded areas to remove objectionable roughness.

Hence, it is an object of the present invention to provide improved means for mounting ignition switch locks of the character described on instrument panels or the like the use of which eliminates the previously required grinding and polishing operations on the instrument panel.

Another object is to provide an improved mounting means for ignition switch locks which acts to effectively prevent rattling of the look structure thus reducing noise.

A further object is to provide mounting means for ignition switch locks of exceedingly simple design so as to reduce manufacturing costs.

A still further object is to provide improved mounting means for ignition switch locks which greatly simplifies securing the lock structure to the instrument panel.

With the above and other objects in view, which will appear as the description proceeds, this invention resides in the novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts substantially as hereinafter described and more particularly defined by the appended claims, it being understood that such changes in the precise embodiment of the hereindisclosed invention may be made as come within the scope of the claims.

The accompanying drawings illustrate several complete examples of the physical embodiment of the invention constructed according to the best modes so far devised for the practical application of the principles thereof, and in which:

Figure l is a cross sectional view through the instrument panel of an automobile showing one form of mounting means for holding the ignition switch lock in place on the panel;

Figure 2 is a front view of the mounting means shown in Figure 1, to further illustrate its relationship to the ignition switch lock;

Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 1 but show- 2 ing a slightly modified form of instrument panel;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the mounting means shown in Figure 3 with the ignition switch lock about to be applied thereto;

Figure 5 is a cross section of the instrument panel shown in Figure 1 showing a modified form of mounting means;

Figure 6 is a cross sectional view through the instrument panel shown in Figure 3 but with the same type of mounting means as shown in Figure 5;

Figure 7 is a rear view of the ignition switch lock and mounting means shown in Figures 5 and 6;

Figure 8 is a cross section through an instrument panel similar to Figure 1 showing a second modified form of mounting means;

Figure 9 is a, cross section through an instrument panel similar to Figure 3 showing the modification of the invention disclosed in Figure 8;

Figure 10 is a bottom view of the mounting means shown in Figures 8 and 9;

Figure 11 is a view of the opening through the instrument panel shown in Figures 8 and 9; and

Figure 12 is a view of the mounting means shown in Figures 8 and 9 looking from the left with the ignition switch lock removed.

Referring now more particularly to the accompanying drawings in which like numerals indicate like parts, the numeral I5 generally designates the instrument panel of an automobile.

The instrument panel shown in Figure 1 is of the type employed on a super-deluxe model automobile, and is characterized by the provision of spaced apart inner and outer substantially upright wall sections l6 and I! respectively, with the outer wall section I! exposed to the drivers compartment and providing in effect a false front for the instrument panel.

Various instruments are adapted to be mounted behind the instrument panel with portions thereof exposed at the front of the panel in the customary manner. One of these instruments is shown, by way of example, as comprising an ignition switch lock generally designated 23 and it' is the purpose of this invention to provide simple and inexpensive means for mounting the lock structure on the instrument panel.

The switch lock illustrated includes an enlarged body 23' adapted to be positioned at the rear of the innermost panel I6, and a substantially cylindrical barrel 24 projecting from the body through an aperture 24' in the panel I6 and having a reduced portion 25 at its forward extremity adapted to project through a suitable 7 aperture 22 in the front panel I! so as to be accessible from the front of the instrument board.

In itsassembled position the shoulder formed projected through the aperture 22.

The barrel 24 is also shown prov-ided .witha aligning indentations or seats 38 formed in the sides of the spring fingers facing the back of the panel. Upon such alignment, the fingers snap forwardly with a detentaction to securely hold the switch structure in an assembled position with the forward end of the barrel pressed against the v rear= of the tpanel *IT- Eunder spring tension;

Shoulders 39 at the bottom of the seat in the .=firiger 3i and at the top of the seat in the finger 32- engage -with -the-.side edges of the lugs 25 to limitrotationwith' the barrel beyond the in- 7 These lugs have a substantiallyi triaiigular cross pair of diametrically opposite lugs 26proj'ecting radially outwardly from the es t e eof dentations or seats and thus insure proper detent actionof theespring clip. 'The spring clip section with one side of the lugslyin'g-in a -plahe"-;Vnaturally has" sufficient stiffness'or force as to substantially normal to the axis of the barrel hold the' switch structure firmly in place and and parallel to the panel sectiorr H andthez-ree againstaccidental-rotation after engagement of maining two sides of the triangle converging tothe lugs in their respective indentations or seats ward the body 23' and defining an obtuse angle in the-spring fingers. 7 V a at their juncture. V a Attention is also directed to the fact that the Therear side's -of the 'lugs thus provide cams: motion;pfithezspringzfingers toward-.thebackmf suffies T o n a m n w tf'fthe panel isecti'onz IS :in zrespcnseaztouthe:biassp means 30 "of' thisiinventiorr' irr:a manner: new thereon fis i limited:bysengagement-sof'zportionspiet about to be describe I 1 the-spring fingers beneaththe'srecesses fisthere- In the embodimen' f th' -invention ilms of with the back of theparieleSBCtioir:16.: Prior m t in ig r 1 itheirmolll'ltlh g meansr :risr= to' assemblytofzth lock rswitchi'ith'erefore itrwill Shown i the f m o a Spring c p c a i" be 'seen thatfbdthfingers: arejheld iil'lrPQSi'fliOllS its lower extremity to theafiange lilcei undersu at: which the-:"cam .surfacess34 zande3fiwthereofiface" I 6!? of i theinner'iparieli l 6 asiaby rivetingzors aligntw'ith the: cam surfaces formed aon the backs; spot welding; ThE'FTfI'BB portiomof Ether-clip e of-ithe radial.'1ugs-;.26ronztherbarrelpfrthepswitchI: tends upwardly along thev rear of the panel-rin structure? towardr:thei'switch"fzstructure 1 23*:and is bifu'r' 3i and 32.

In the aiorm 50f; thesginventionl-shown in Fig-: ure's- 3 andu i; theriristrumentrpanek .15 -is;pr ovided-.=-; entirely by; a .singleewalh sections i'simi-larsin all;

It -will :be noted ithatsgthezarivets -:which= -are wesp'ectstot-thet-innerfpanele sections-r115 ohthea;

and hence 'do not detract from the finished 'appearance of the instrument panel.

The-fingers -3 l andr=32 areso-1ocated with-respect to the alignedaapertures 22 and-.M as-to.

require endwiseinsertion -ofthe :barrel 24 of the switch structure .the'rebetweenr during assembly.

withthe lugs,26-fon the barrelheldlin a vertical position 5 substantiallyparallel to. -the, length; 0b,. the spring fingers Inlthi's'positioneither-lugs the. reducedv extremity-.2 5j'l'is, projected ,through Figure 1 embodiment. This instrument-panel 48:. may bei-ofltheatype .with =-which' standard or.-de7- luxe "modelrautomobilessare-- provided:

Th' in'strumentrpanel'a wsh'as'ran-aperture" 121507,: receive:the' 'reducedrforward'fextremity. 25 of the. switch 23 whi'chiis:similarrzinrall' respectsl tothe switch structure 'slfiown' 'irr:Figures. 1 and 2 ands; hence has-1 been designatedwith t. --same;--numeralsi' The; springixclip iifinis; ;likewise- -identical, to'that shown in: Figures l and 2 'and hence 'hasidentical numerals identiiyinggthe parts.

In the absencepf'iilieginner panel-H5 such as is provided in'th'e'xFignr l embodiment; it is -'neees sary to employ a separate: stopZ-ito properly posiwardly bentportion on the inner sidfe 'edg'e' of counterclockwise"direction with th -lugs 26 new thsapeltu're bringsithe shoulder. at 'the wirtion' thesprirfgclip;Biliandinsure enga ement of forward extremity of th'ebarrel against theback the-lug 25 ahead ofgtheapms str nd--33.- A rig-id f th xlp ln lsectionfi.ll' fat which time. the. cam bifurcated 'stopememberzz it-:is accordingly, *se- Surfaces 'ZTWOII the. lugs 25. Substantially.{aligfi cured together with the sprini'gmlip 394 thetinradiallylwith m 'i 4 $9116! strument'panel'on the flange-like; underside i6 55 gthreof byfrivets'oirany .otherrequivalent" fastening meansi'whichnre not visibleitoxtheidriver or"? passengers in th'ew carrr. Hence;= special:-; ,surface-,;, ward extensionon the "springJfin'ger' 3l' 'tobe" j grinding orrefinishinglat'ztheareasatzwhich thee-'- loica't'edfabove thelbairr'el of. theiswitchstructure" securing means islocated'is;avoided;.

while'tl'i'e cam"'surfabe36"i sformed by a rear 603;} The rigidstcp memberMfr-hasiarmssQ iQ-Oneon each side: of-the; barrel-24E and: against which the portions of the: spring fingers :13 I. 233161153 2- beneath tli""fin ger 32.'."bneaith"ithe barrelfofithe switch 7 structure. 'Thsefcam'; surfaces andi'36 are' theseats thereof-'iabutzto-limitmotionct -the arms substantially simultaneously? engagedby the cam toward" the panel in'srespon'se' to ithe; bias: there surfacesf onthe backs of the" lugs""26' upon-rota: OGYaLOl'fSO that: thearm-s .are-held-:-ina positionvto have tionj of the barrel 24 in'ta counterclockwise direc the"lugsflfiiengage forwardlyarthereof*during as tio'n asseenirr liigurez V semblypf-theuswitch:on tli'e:-panel.-x

ROtation"-"of'-'-the'"switch structure'fit' in said In 'theoperation'ofratheudeviceszzshown iIPFi gi' I I v ures' l to 4finclusive ?theibarrel rofi-the'switchi a r al p sition therefore results in' cam -7 o' structure' is inserted vendwiselbetweerr thefingers: 3i and 32 of theflspring clipz:Sflwviththeilugs26-" vertical asfseen .in"Fi'gi1re 4,-Tandthe: projection :25 inserted either" inLtheholeziZ 2:5.01'; tz itdbring, :the: forward extremity ofztheabazzrel against the panels wardlyiawayjfrom the-panel section- 16=- agairistwhichth' same"are biased, with rota'tion ofith'ef be rotated counterclockwise as seen in Figure 2, or clockwise as seen in Figure 4, so that the cam lugs 26 engage with the cam surfaces 34 and 36 on the arms and move the same outwardly, permitting the lugs to seat in the recesses or indents 38 of the fingers 3| and 32, thus securely clamping the switch structure in position on the instrument panel under substantial spring pressure and preventing rotation or rattling of the switch thereon.

Referring to the embodiment of the invention shown in Figure 5, it will be seen that the instru" ment panel designated I has a false front section 45 like that of the Figure 1 embodiment, provided with an aperture 46 therein to receive the reduced portion 48 on the forward extremity of a lock barrel 49 forming part of an ignition switch lock 50.

A spring clip 52 is herein provided to hold the switch in place on the panel, and is shown secured to the flange-like lower part of the instrument panel by welding, riveting or other well known means in the manner hereinbefore described; the connection again being made in a portion of the panel that is not ordinarily seen by passengers in the car so that the outer surface will not require grinding after the spring clip 52 is secured in place.

The spring clip 52 has an aperture therethrough in its upper end to receive a screw 53 which is preferably permanently secured to the clip by welding. The screw is received in a hole (not shown) in a lug 55 formed on the lower side of the lock housing 50, and a nut 55 threaded on the screw to react against the lug draws the forward end of the barrel of the lock switch up against the back of the instrument panel 45 with the projection 48 extending through the panel to be accessible at the front thereof.

Since tightening of the nut 56 on the screw 53 flexes the clip away from the panel, the resulting tension on the clip is employed to press the barrel of the switch 50 firmly against the back of the panel to prevent rattling of the assembly.

The clip 52 shown in Figure 6 is substantially the same as that of Figure 5, but the false front wall section 45 has been eliminated to illustrate application of the mounting means to a standard type instrument panel.

In operation of the forms of the invention shown in Figures 5, 6 and 7, the switch structure 50 is inserted from behind the panel with the projection 48 extending through the aperture 46 therein and the aperture in the lug 55 engaged over the screw 53. The nut 55 may then be threaded onto the projecting end of the bolt 53 and tightened to place the spring clip 52 under tension to draw the switch 50 securely against the panel 45.

In the form of the invention shown in Figures 8 to 12, inclusive, the instrument panel is like that of Figure 1 and has a false front section 59 provided with an aperture 6|. The mounting bracket 63 for the switch has an inturned collar or flange 55 with an inside diameter equal to the diameter of the aperture 5| so that the bracket 63 may be secured on the back side of the panel by means of a bright eyelet stamping 5'! common to the panel and bracket.

The bracket 63 has a substantially stiif spring arm 69 which is joined to the collar 65 and extending at a rearward and downward inclination away from the panel 65, with a slot cut in the outer free extremity of the arm. The housing 12 has a forwardly extending lock barrel 15 terminating in a reduced end portion 16 which is received substantially snugly in the eyelet 61 to be exposed at the front of the panel 55.

The switch body 72 also has a lug 18 formed on its under side facing the inclined spring arm 69. This lug 12 has a tapped hole sloped at an acute angle to the axis of the switch and substantially perpendicular to the flat portion of the arm 59. The lug and its tapped hole align with the slot it in the free extremity of the arm so that a screw projecting through the slot may be threaded into the lug 18 to hold the switch structure l2 assembled on the panel 55.

A key 8| on the flange 65 punched forwardly out of the plane of the flange and into the plane of the panel 55 is received in a keyslot 82 opening to the aperture 5i to lock the bracket 53 against rotation on the back of the panel.

In operation the screw is started in the aperture in the lug 18 prior to insertion of the reduced portion 76 of the lock switch into the eyelet 51 so that upon such positioning of the switch structure the shank of the screw slides into place in the slot 70 with the head of the screw beneath the bracket arm.

A screw driver may then be inserted through an aperture 83 in the flange-like bottom of the panel 55 and the screw 80 tightened in the lug so as to draw the forward end of the barrel firmly against the back of the panel 65 and to efiect a degree of downward tilting of the switch structure which causes the reduced end portion 15 of the barrel to become substantially wedged or skewed in its eyelet to prevent rattling of the parts. The inherent resiliency of the arm 69 serves to maintain the switch structure tilted in this manner under a degree of spring pressure.

From the foregoing description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that this invention provides simple and inexpensive but highly efficient means for mounting lock switches on the rear of automobile instrument panels, and which insure against rattling of the switch structure.

What I claim as my invention is:

1. Means for mounting an instrument on the back of an instrument panel of the type having an aperture in an upright portion of the panel to receive a reduced end portion at the forward extremity of the instrument to locate the same and to expose the reduced extremity of the instrument to view at the front of the panel, comprising: a support anchored at one end to the panel at the rear thereof and having a resilient portion extending therefrom toward the instrument; a radial abutment on the instrument adapted to be engaged in front of said resilient portion so that the instrument will be held firmly pressed against the rear of the panel under a degree of spring pressure sufiicient to preclude vibration of the instrument relative to the panel and with the reduced extremity thereof located in said aperture of the panel.

2. Means for mounting an instrument in position on the back of an instrument panel of the type provided with a rearwardly directed flange along its lower edge and having an aperture in an upright portion of the panel to receive a reduced end portion at the forward extremity of the instrument to locate the same and to expose the reduced extremity of the instrument to view at the front of the panel, comprising: a spring clip having a portion anchored to said flange at the rear of the instrument panel; a pair of resilientaiarms ':projectingrgupwardlyifromlsaidlwiat taehing portiomlin paflfi.d=" I'8l2L'liiOl'IailolrSa-id up-:-- right portion 1. off the instrument; panel; said armsbeing'spaced from each other laterally'adistance to receive the instrument ther'ebetween and-beingbiasedatowarditherback of thepanel; and means onsaidiarmsengaging parts: at oppositesides o1 the instrument. having '1 its reduced extremity in 1 saict aperture with a -:detent1action upon rotation 1 ofithe instrumentaonan axis-normal to the plane ofmthe cpanelrthrough-anarc of predetermined magnitude: to: hold "the instrument against acci-l dentalmovement relative-tozthe panehsaid arms exertingrza 5. spring force on {the instrument to firmlzyimressethe asameaagainstl the :back of the panel nd thereby maintain the reduced end porand exposed at the front- 0f the panel:

3.; Mounting means-asset forth in claim 2 furtherechnracteriz d-eby-xthe provision of 'cam:surfaceszion-zsaid resilientr'armsaengaged bysaid parts tion-zoftsthe instrument located insaid aperture 7 on-thesinstrnmenti during rotation of the instrumentsgzto, facilitate engagement of i said parts on theminstrument with the '-:detent means on the arms.

4;@:Mor1ntingi5means ,as-set forth in claim 2 wherein said idetent-nieans-on the resilient arms sidestzthereofiiacing:the 'back of the 'panel. 7

5.:ilvI'eansifor; mounting an instrument on'xthe v are zpnovided FbyidentatiOnsinthe arms at the back ofraninstrument panel of :the: type having an=:ape'r.ture-in anuprightportion of: the panel tocreceive a reduee'd: :end: portion at the 'forward extinmity' ofaithea instrument to-locate the same and toz 'expose the reduced-extremity of the ins-- strnmentzto view-at the" front ofith'e panel, com

prisingzza :spring retainer including an attaching pontion ganehored to' the instrument panel atthe rear thereof anda pair of'resilientarms.projectinglzsfrom said attachingiportion"to overlie the back of: the pane'lin l spaced' relation thereto; said duced' endportion at: thep'forward extremityof 1 the instrument to locatethe-same and to expose. the reduced extremityipfwthe' instrumentto view atthe fl'OIltrOfwthB paneL -comprisingzv a spring support including an attachingportion anchored i to said :flange on the instrument panel attherear threofyand a resilient arm extending upwardly from saidattaching: portion toward the side of the instrument havingwits forward extremity received in said aperture in the panel; and means on. the extremity of thearm remote from its attaching portion providing for oonnection of the arm to the instrument at. oneside. of the instrument in-a'manner causing flexureaof the arm 1 against theresilieneyzthereofaway from the back of the instrument panel so tha'tzthe arm is placedunder tensionand'reacts on the instrument in a direction to firmly press the same against 'the' bacleof the instrument panel and maintain-the reduced: extremity of the instrument located in' said aperture of thepanel. a

7. Means for mounting an instrument on the hack of'aninstrument panel of the type provided-- with a'rearwardly directed flange along its lower edge and'having an aperture in anupright'portion' of the panel to :recei-vef a reducedendvp-or-r tion at 'the' fcrivardextremity of the instrument to locate the same and to expose the reduced" extremity of-the instrument to View at the front of thepanel; comprising an anchorin'gtpart at-V tached" to'the 'rearwardlyiiextended flange of the panel'; spring means reacting between said 'anshoring part and anrabutment on" the iinstru ment; and" means' on said spring im'eanszcooper-' able-with said;"abutment tos rovide a bayonet connection whereby "the abutmentmayi'be in serted' under the sp-ringso that' tl i'e springwill be te'nsioned and Will lthus" press the instrument against the back of =lthe panel'and hold the same 40 in position with'its reduced'en'dportion received armseheingspaced from eaohiother a distance to receiveatheninstrument therebetween and being biased'ibyextheir' resiliency toward the back of: the panel; cam surfaces on the inner side edges of the arms extending at-a rearward angle away from the:=panel;'and engaged :by parts at opposite sides of:::the=:instrument having its reduced extremity away "zfromi thepanelagainst the resiliency of in'saidsapertureuponrotation of the instrument inonedii'ection on an axis normal to the upright portion of. the panel to; flex the arms rearwardly the armsithereTc-y enabling ipositioning of said instrument parts ahead of thearms meansziixed "a:

' with-respect tdthepaneland. againstfwhich 'the:

armstengagepri'or to such rotation of thein'stru v ment betweenwzthe arms ,for -holdingtthe' arms' in: pnedetermined'- spaced 5 relationship with respect: 1 to. .the -panelto insure'engagement of theirlnami;

surfaces by {said "parts onthe instrumentyand detenti means on the arms engaged by-said' parts on-i the-instrumentupon rotation of the instrument-in the.aforesaid-mannerthroughan arc of" predetermined magnitude for defining the 'finalu assembled position :of the 'instrument 1 on the paneL said-i detent; meansbeing: rendered efiec- 5;; The following i'e'ferenoesare-of record in the f tive with theiarmsunder tension so that the armsactzto-firmly press -the instrumentagainst 'the A back of the panel. 7

V 6. Means for mounting an instrumentinposition-on the backrofaniinstrument panel of-thed; t perpmvided with -a rearwardly' directed' flange r along its lowenedge-and having-an-aperturein?:- an lupigight portion roftthe panel to receive a "re-1 in the aperture in the-pariieljsaidsplihg means having'aiorce' sufficient to" preclude vibration of the instrumentrelative'to the; panel.

8. Means for mounting aninstrument on the hack of an instrument -panel'of'tlietype having an aperture adapted to'reeeive'a reduced end portion at the-*forw'ard extremity of the instrument to locate the same and to'expose tliereducedextremity of the instrument to q'ii'evv at the front of -,..the panel, said means comprising: a bifurcated spring clip anchored at the rearof' said instrument panel and having its legs projecting substantially parallel to the portion-of the panel surrounding said aperture arid-biased toward the pan'el;said legs being spac'ed apart "a distance to re'ceivethe instrument between them; and detent portions on saiddegs adapted tof overlie radial lugs projecting frorri 'bppos'ite sides of the" instrument to thereby bias the reduced end portion- 0f the instrument" into" rm engagement with" the panel and to pre'elud'e rota'tiori orme'instrument.

' EDWARD NS'JACOBIF nnrennnens errnn file of this patent UNITED STATES'VPATENTS c 

